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"Domestic" vs. "International" Phones...

B

broken flyer

Newbie
Hi, I'm looking at getting a new phone. I am planning on switching to straight talk and using one of their GSM sim cards in an android smart phone. I had wanted to get an international version of a phone such as a sony xperia S, or the razr XT910, or something else international. They say their sim cards will work with any ATT, T-Mobile, or unlocked GSM phone. However when i emailed them to ask about porting my number i also asked if these cards would work with international unlocked phones and their reply was, "Straight Talk Wireless now offers BYOP; also known as Bring Your Own
Phone. Customers now have the option to activate an AT&T, T-Mobile GSM
technology and domestic unlocked phones (international version phones
will not work)."

So my question for you guys is, what is the difference between the international unlocked phones, and the US versions of these phones that would make them incompatible? I mean they're still GSM phones that work on the same frequencies... Are they just pulling my leg to try and discourage me from buying an international phone? From what i researched almost all the "unlocked" phones are international versions. Thanks...
 
Bands for data.

Don't know about Straight talk - but I've used a Galaxy 3 and a Nokia C6 (bought unlocked from Amazon) on TMobile. Voice, text, wifi all good. Data either GRPS or Edge.
(Didn't care - used wifi)

Gave phones to daughter - she used them in UK with no problem.
 
Honestly, US carriers are crazy. Its only there where I hear of "porting numbers" and such things. Outside, I just pop my SIM card out of the phone, transfer it to a new one, and I am now using a new phone with my old number. I can travel to UK or France, buy an unlocked phone there, transfer my SIM into it, and voila, new phone still old number.
 
^he's changing carriers, so his old number needs to be ported to a new SIM. Don't you guys have to do that over there? We can take our sims out of our phones and put it in a unlocked one and it will be fine as well. No difference there.

OP, the only trouble you will run into with an international phone on ST will be APN settings for MMS and the like. There's plenty of info on what settings to use all over the internet, though. It seems you already know which bands your new phone will need to have. When you choose your sim, they're going to ask you to choose between T-Mo and ATT's network, so you'll definitely have to choose AT&T for most intl phones.
 
Thanks, for the replies... Ya, that's what I kind of thought. I did some searching around and there are threads where people are using international phones on straight talk and ATT and T-Mobile, so on and so forth so i just assumed they were feeding me lines. I looked at the specs and as far as i can see they operate on the right frequencies and the right type of connection. I might still wait for the US versions just the same though as they're cheaper through ATT even without a contract.
 
Oh that kind of porting numbers. I was thinking of CDMA phones that don't use SIM. I haven't tried that porting numbers if its possible here. I just get a new number. LOL. certain scammers get your older numbers and send you scam messages as your number gets older here.
 
I've been researching whats available over in china as well as japan to see if i could find something with higher spec's than whats already out, that i might be able to get in the US if I bout an unlocked version and used it on straight talk. I found lots of interesting stuff, unfortunately nothing that looks too promising for my purposes though. I thought i'd share it just the same in case someone knows a way i might be able to get one of these. They're still fun to look at/want none the less...

Sony Xperia GX (japan) :
This phone has everything i want spec wise except a high mAH battery though that's not a big deal. Doesn't look like it'll come to the US though. The xperia ion should have the same spec's except i doubt i'll get one of those when it comes out due to the lack of ICS. Too bad the xperia GX isn't available, or i think i'd probably have bout one already.

Overview- http://www.sonymobile.co.jp/product/docomo/so-04d/index.htm
l
Spec's- Xperia™ GX | Ž
 
chanchan05 said:
Honestly, US carriers are crazy. Its only there where I hear of "porting numbers" and such things. Outside, I just pop my SIM card out of the phone, transfer it to a new one, and I am now using a new phone with my old number. I can travel to UK or France, buy an unlocked phone there, transfer my SIM into it, and voila, new phone still old number.
Click to expand...

You have to remember, the EU regulates mobile telecommunications via a consortium of States. The US does not regulate the corporations that control mobile telecommunications within its borders, although there may be some agreements in pace with Canadian telecom companies (not sure). But, As long as you roam within the EU economic zone, you can do what you mentioned. Fly to Russia or the U.S. and you will be out of luck.

So, if you want to look at it your way, I can fly from California to New York and not have to bother buying a new phone or change my sim AND not get charged roamng fees. Let's see you fly 2500 miles and say the same. :D
 
International phones are set to 900 and 2100 bands for 3G, this is universal for both Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. This includes, S. Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. At least, there is going to be one carrier that will support the band even if not all of them do.

Some international phones have 850 3G, which is compatible with AT&T. Countries that have this include Canada, Australia, and many parts of Latin America. Note some Latin American phones only have 850 and 1900 3G bands, particularly among the low to middle end.

Very very few international phones have 1700 3G, which is used for T-Mobile USA. For this network, the fastest you will go is 2.5G EDGE.

EDGE on international phones will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile.

Some, but not all, AT&T phones have 2100 3G support.

Most T-Mobile smartphones have 2100 3G support, which is needed to roam on T-Mobile's European mother carrier.

Many international phones are unlocked out of the box, so you can switch SIMs from carrier to carrier. These are not sold with any carrier contracts. Freedom has a price, at least only a short term price, since you probably save more in the long term.

For Android user, this is notable --- international unlocked out of the box phones with no carrier contract and affiliation have their updates pushed to them from the manufacturer. They don't need carrier approvals to push updates. Hence they also get updates faster than regular carrier bound phones would.

No carrier affiliated unlocked phones have manufacturer's bloatware, but not carrier bloatware. They also don't have boot lockers and such.
 
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